NJ Lawmaker Backs Off Of Bicycle License Plate Idea

NEWARK, NJ (AP/CBS New York) – A New Jersey lawmaker has withdrawn a hastily introduced bill to require all bicycles in the state to display a license plate.

Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker was getting deep criticism for her proposed law that would have required riders or their parents would pay $10 a year to register their bikes with the Division of Motor Vehicles – or be subject to fines of $100.

Tucker told the Star-Ledger of Newark that she proposed the bill because senior citizens called her to complain about children on bikes. The seniors told her they had been knocked down but had no way to register a complaint because they couldn’t identify the rider.

She withdrew the measure Thursday, saying she would instead look for other ways to protect older pedestrians.